Universal MusicBritish actor Tom Hardy will portray Elton John in Rocketman, an upcoming biopic of the pop-rock legend, and he's preparing for the role in an unusual way: by raiding John's closet.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, when Elton and Hardy recently attended an event to promote the project, Hardy revealed that he'd been wearing John's actual clothing to get into the role. But instead of donning some of Elton's more outrageously spangled and sequined outfits, Hardy says he really likes wearing the singer's track suits, which is what you normally see Elton in these days when he's not on stage.

Hardy, best known for playing the villain Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, says he even asked to borrow John's watch, so he can really feel what it's like to be him.

As previously reported, Elton plans to re-record some of his iconic hits for Rocketman, which will tell his story from childhood to worldwide domination, incorporating musical fantasy sequences along the way.